Washing machine



Sept. 18 1923.

W. N. RETTINGER WASHING MAcHiNE Filed Jan. 25 1922 INVENTOR.

William 7Zfie27z'n ye1 46x, ATTORNEYS.

To all whom it may concern."

Patentedsept. 18, 1923.

11S if titansi AT i wnsnine aaonrnn Application.fiIedJanuaryZS,1922. Seria1N0.531,705.

Be it known that LWVILLIAM NJRET- Tmenn, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Bourbomin thecounty of Marshall and State of Indiana, have lIlVQl'ltGCl' certa in newand useful Improvements in VVashing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This inventionrelates to awashing machine, and the object of the inve'ntionis the construction of a simpleand efiicient'machine for washing clothes, and the like.

Another object of the invention is the im'-.

provement of the construction ofthe stirrer.

device of a washing machine.

With these and OtherPob ectsm view, my

invention comprises certain novel combinations, constructions. and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter described,

illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

and more particularly appendedclaims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front view, in elevation, of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the cover and stirrer device in an open position.

pointed out in the Figure 2 is a top plan View of myma chine with the cover closed.

Figure 3 is afragmentary, sectional view of the washing machine, showing the stirrer device in side elevation.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the stirrer device.

The washing machine is provided with the usual receptacle 1 which is of a conventional construction and is to receive the water, clothes and a suitable soap or washing compound. This receptacle is provided with a cover 2 which is hingedly mounted as shown at 3 for swinging movement from the open position of Figurel to the closed position of Figure 2 and a suitable latch iis provided so that the cover, may be retained in the closed position.

Extending through the top of cover 2 is the shaft 5 of the stirrer device. Shaft 5 is secured, at its inner end, to head 7 which head is bifurcated, at 8, and straddles the board 9. Straddling the board 9, and flared out at their lower ends are wingslO; these wings 10 are substantially V-shaped and are provided for agitating or stirring the water in receptacle 1 and forming a good body of suds. Fingers 11 are fastened, attheir inner ends, to board 9 and extend downwardly therefrom betweenthe flaring wings 10 and in diverging relation in the direction of the ends ofthe board.- These fingers 11 will engagethe clothes and will cause them to bemoved through the soapy water when. the shaft 5 is rotated, the'directionofmovement being controlled by'the direction in which the shaft is rotated. By having the fingers positioned between the flaring wings the clothes will be moved in a path where the water is subjected to the greatest amount of agitation by the wings and this will cause the stirred up water to be passed through the clothesin a very effective manner and the clothes thoroughly and quickly cleaned.

In order to mount the'shaft for rotary movement, the upper end portion of this shaft has been extended above the bearing head 12 which carries the cover lifting handle 18. Upon the extended end .of the shaft there has been mounted a crank arm 1% pivotally and releasably engaged with a pitman 15, so that as the pitman is reciprocated the shaft will be rotated first in one direction and then inthe other. This pitman is pivotally connected with the crank arm'16 carried by the shaft 17 which is journaled in the bearing 18 and it will be readily seen that when the shaft 17 is rotating oscillatory movement will be imparted to the shaft 5 to swing the stirrer first in one direction and then in the opposite direction. In order to rotate the shaft 17 there has been provided a driving shaft 19 rotatably mounted and having at its outer end a pulley so engagedby a belt 21 and at its inner end a gear 22 which, may be moved into and out of engagement with a gear 23 by gear shifting means indicated in general by the numeral 24:. p

Nhen this washer is in use the water, washing soap or compound and clothes will be placed within the receptacle. The cover will then be closed and the pitman connected with the crank arm 14: and a suitable motor engagin the belt 21 will be started so that the shafts 19 and 17 will be rotated and oscillating movement imparted to the stirrer. N hen the stirrer is in motion the wings will keep the water well agitated and the fingers will engage the clothes and cause them to be moved through the water and thoroughly cleaned.

After the clothes are cleaned the pitman will bedisconnected from the arm 14: and

swung to one side where it will be out of the.

ay and the cover and stirrer can then be swung upwardly to the position of Figure 1. The clothes can then be removed from the receptacle. 7

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention, and have illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations mayappear to one skilled in the art of which this invention relates, during the extensive manufacture of the same and I,'therefore, reserve the right to make such alterations or changes as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

'1. In a machine'of the class'described, the combination with a receptacle, and a. cover on said receptacle, of-a stirrer device rotatably'mounted' on said cover, said stirrer device comprising a board, fingers-depending from said board adjacent its ends, V- shaped wings straddlingthe end portions of said board and extending upon opposite sides of said fingers, a head straddling said board intermediate said wings, a shaft secured to said head and extendin through said cover, and means connected to said shaft for rotating saidstirrer deviceupon said cover.

2. Ina machine of the class described, the combination with a frame, a receptacle carried by said frame, a cover on said receptacle,fof a stirrer device rotatably mounted on said'oover, said stirrer device comprising a board, fingers depending from said board, wings pIO]GCtlI1g from opposite sides of said board, a head fastened to said board, a shaft secured to said head and extending through said cover, and means connected to said shaft for rotating said stirrer device upon said cover. I

,3. In a machine of the class described, a receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, and a stirringdevice carried by said cover, said stirringdevice comprising a rotatable shaft journaled in said cover, a head boa-rd con nected with and extending transversely of the shaft upon opposite sides thereof, fiat wateragitating wings carried: by the end portions of said head board and extending V downwardly from opposite sides thereof in diverging relation, and clothes engaging fingers extending downwardly from the'end portions of the head board between said wings and inclined in the directionof the free ends of the head board and means for imparting rotary movement to said shaft.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

WILLIAM N. RETTINGER. 

